Richland County Accommodations Tax Grants

The Richland County Accommodations Tax (A-Tax) Grant Program provides funding support to eligible nonprofit organizations for projects and events that promote tourism within Richland County, South Carolina. Administered by the Richland County Government, this program is funded through a two percent tax levied on the rental of transient accommodations in the state. As mandated by South Carolina law, these revenues are allocated to support advertising, promotion, and expenditures directly tied to tourism development. The overarching goal of the program is to attract visitors, increase overnight stays, and stimulate the local economy, particularly within unincorporated areas of Richland County. To qualify for A-Tax funding, organizations must be either IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose primary mission is tourism promotion or Destination Marketing Organizations such as Chambers of Commerce or Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Applicants must also demonstrate at least one year of operational history. Religious organizations are eligible under the condition that funds are used strictly for secular purposes, and grant recipients are prohibited from re-granting or sub-granting awarded funds. Ineligible applicants include individuals, fraternal organizations, and those supporting political campaigns. The program emphasizes inclusivity and accountability, requiring applicants to substantiate their nonprofit status, maintain appropriate licensing, and submit key financial documentation. The FY2027 grant cycle opens on December 1, 2025, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on February 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted through ZoomGrants and be fully complete to be considered. Required materials include a budget and narrative, IRS determination letter, proof of registration with the South Carolina Secretary of State, financial documents, business licensing documents, and a current board roster. Applications are reviewed for completeness and alignment with funding objectives. Applicants may also present a four-minute overview of their project to the A-Tax Committee during scheduled meetings in March or April. All applications are scored based on criteria including tourism impact, community benefit, innovation, partnerships, and cost-effectiveness. Recommendations made by the Committee are forwarded to the Richland County Council, which finalizes award decisions during the county budget process held from April to June 2026. Eligible uses of A-Tax funds include, but are not limited to, advertising, cultural and historical promotion, visitor transportation, and infrastructure that supports tourism demand. Funds must be spent during the fiscal grant period, which runs from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Projects that increase awareness of Richland County’s amenities, generate new hotel stays, and leverage private funding sources are particularly favored. Prohibited uses include expenditures on items distributed to attendees (such as T-shirts or trophies), food, beverages, insurance, and salaries. Funded organizations must submit both mid-year and final reports, including documentation of grant-related expenditures and impact data such as event attendance and hotel night generation. Reimbursement is available on a quarterly basis beginning July 1, 2026. Grant recipients are required to acknowledge Richland County support in all marketing materials. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in disqualification from future funding rounds. Matiah Pough serves as the program’s Grants Manager and is available to answer applicant inquiries. Contact information includes a mailing address (P.O. Box 192, Columbia, SC 29202), phone number (803-576-5459), and email ([email protected]). All applications and communications are subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.

Highlight direct economic impact on tourism and overnight stays; use detailed visitor tracking methods.